JD(U), RJD and Congress reach agreement for Bihar bypoll

A final announcement of the alliance and seats each of them would contest would be made after Nitish Kumar returns to Patna

JD(U), RJD and Congress have reached an understanding to contest 10 Assembly seats in Bihar, going to bypoll next month, together.

A final announcement of the alliance and seats each of them would contest would be made after former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar returns to Patna from Mumbai on July 30.

Coming out of the 10 Circular road residence of Rabri Devi, RJD leader Prabhunath Singh told reporters that alliance for the bypoll has been finalised and it would be announced after Nitish Kumar returned to the state capital.

Nitish Kumar left for Mumbai yesterday on personal visit and would return here on July 30.

Bihar minister Shyam Rajak and JD(U) Legislator Binod Singh today visited RJD President Lalu Prasad to hold talks on the seats, the three parties would contest.

RJD Legislature party leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui and its senior leader Prabhunath Singh were also present on the occasion.

Rajak who said his visit to Lalu Prasad's house was in connection with the Iftar party to be hosted by the RJD leader this evening, however, told reporters that the alliance has already been finalised.

"We will fight the bypoll together and win all the 10 seats," Rajak said.

His party colleague and MLC Binod Kumar Singh also said that alliance has been finalised and would be announced after Nitish Kumar returned.

State Congress Vice President and media in-charge Prem Chand Mishra told PTI that the party is in favour of contesting the bypoll jointly with JD(U) and RJD to defeat BJP.

Bypoll on 10 Bihar seats necessitated by the election of some MLAs to the Lok Sabha and resignation of others is being viewed as the "semi-final" before the crucial Assembly poll, due next year.

Notification for the August 21 bypoll on 10 Assembly seats in Bihar was issued today.